Terrence Mawawa

Prominent social media analyst Antony Taruvinga yesterday said the dismissal of former MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe was constitutional and legal.

“The MDC-T Constitution as amended by the 2014
Congress gave the president the powers to fire and
hire members of the National Standing Committee.

Khupe was there when the amendment was made.

That amendment was used by Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai
with the support of the National Council to appoint
Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as VPs,” said Taruvinga.

“The National Council has wide powers to
make major and far reaching decisions in between
Congresses.

Those decisions start to operate as
soon as they are made but they need ratification or
nullification by Congress.

In short, National Council
can act on behalf of Congress or can sit as
Congress and make binding decisions.

So, the appointment of Chamisa and Mudzuri as VPs
was done in accordance with the dictates of the
Constitution.”

” Again the appointment of Nelson
Chamisa as substantive President of the MDC-T
was done by an organ of the party with the authority
to make such decisions.

The firing of Khupe was
done in line with the Constitution because the

president in consultation with the National Council
has the powers to hire or fire.

Khupe was no longer attending party meetings and
programs. She was no longer serving the party and
National Council had to act. She only resurfaced
after catching wind of the news of the demise of Dr.
Morgan Tsvangirai and started running around with
the coffin.

She blocked Tsvangirai’s phone number
to avoid communication. Not good at all.

The 210 District Chairpersons endorsed Chamisa as
president together with the 12 Provincial
Chairpersons.

For Khupe’ s Congress to be legal, it has
to be properly constituted otherwise it’s a bogus
Congress,” added Taruvinga.

By Paul Nyathi|Police in Inyathi have shocked the community in the area after officers dispersed to put order in a rich informal mine took over the mine and started mining it themselves.

Sources at the mine revealed that a 65-year-old man discovered the gold and mined it secretly for almost a month before villagers got wind of the mine leading to a gold rush that left one person dead.

“Panners in the area smelt a rat when the old man suddenly started flashing money. He would buy beer for everyone and on one occasion he brought a truckload of beer from Bulawayo — more than 75 kilometres away— which was delivered to his homestead,” said a source.

“Some panners followed him and saw him digging at the mine and word spread, resulting in this gold rush.”

The old man allegedly extracted about 60 grammes of gold every three days and earned more than $25 000 in one month.

More than 300 illegal panners had allegedly invaded Old Motapa Mine in Bubi District following the discovery of huge gold deposits.

Last week, the insecure mine collapsed due to the due to the over subscription killing one person in the process.

Phakamani Ncube (29) of Village 4, Lubanda area, under Chief Mtshana in Inyathi died while his three unidentified colleagues got buried up to their necks after the shaft collapsed when rival gangs invaded the mine on Wednesday last week.

Councillor for the area Herbert Ngwendu said knives are out after police called in to quell running battles among the panners started mining.

“It is disappointing that senior police officers continue to be behind rampant illegal gold mining activities in the district. When I informed them about the invasion last week, I expected them to come and maintain peace, law and order at the mine but instead, mining is continuing with panners informing me that police instructed them to work at night and they are allegedly sharing the proceeds. Mining at night in an unsecured shaft is even more risky and dangerous,” he said.

A number of illegal panners said the army should be called to the site before simmering tensions boil over.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Inspector Sipiwe Makonese confirmed the death of one illegal miner but denied that police were now extracting gold from the mine.

“I am not aware of any looting by police, and as far as we are concerned, a police team was deployed at the site to safeguard, monitor and ensure there is peace on site. Investigations will be made,” said Insp Makonese.

“One person died and three others were trapped for some hours. When police were patrolling the area, they discovered more than 200 people were working on the abandoned and disused mine shafts.”

Insp Makonese said the panners were heavily armed with machetes, axes, picks, shovels, hoes and spears.

Last year, 13 police officers were convicted under the Police Act for engaging in illegal gold mining in Inyathi, Bubi District.

Police prosecutors preferred charges ranging from criminal abuse of office, leaving their posts unattended and engaging in activities which violate the Police Act.

By a correspondent|Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) in conjunction with the Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ) on April 19, 2018 hosted a civic society and political parties interface meant to deliberate on progress towards amendments to the country’s Electoral Act.

The meeting, held in Harare, was attended by various civic society organizations and representatives from political parties.

It came out during the meeting that the piecemeal amendments to the Electoral Act as well as the lackadaisical approach by the ruling party, Zanu (PF) which has majority representation in Parliament, was taking away prospects of free, fair and credible polls set to be held between July and August 2018.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary affairs, Fortune Chasi who is also Zanu (PF) Member of Parliament for Mazowe South admitted that little has been done to amend the country’s Electoral Act so that it conforms to the constitution.

He said this was a subject of concern especially given the fact that the country is left with a few months before it holds elections.

“It is not proper that a few months before the elections, we are still squabbling about what the law is. Not only must the law be clear but it must also be in place on time. I would personally give ourselves as a country 1 mark out of 10,” said Chasi.

He also admitted that currently, there have not been efforts that have been made to increase the participation of people with disabilities in electoral processes.

MDC-T representative, Douglas Mwonzora said that currently, there are a number of issues which need urgent attention as they are taking away prospects of free, fair and credible polls.

“There are key things that have not been done and there are also key things that we do not see in the Electoral Act. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the government have refused an external audit of the voters’ roll and insisted on an internal audit but that is like marking your own exam paper.

“Although ZEC said that we will have a voters’ roll by the end of April (2018) it is clear that we will not be able to have one by that time,” said Mwonzora.

He also expressed concern over the government’s refusal to allow Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora the opportunity to cast their vote.

“On top of that, the State media is not being open to opposition parties and the government as also blocked the observation of the printing of ballot papers,” said Mwonzora.

He added that the continued involvement of the military in electoral issues casts doubt over the credibility, freeness and fairness of the 2018 polls.

“The military has intervened in elections over the past years and they will likely do the same in 2018,” said Mwonzora.

In light of the challenges, Harare West Member of Parliament, Jessie Majome who is also a member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice said there is need for strengthened advocacy to demand reforms to the country’s Electoral Act.

She said it was clear the ruling party; Zanu (PF) was against amendments to the Electoral Act.

“The attitude of the present government is that they don’t want electoral reforms. They don’t want amendments to the Electoral Act because it serves them as it is,” said Majome.

MDC-N Legislator, Priscilla Misihairambwi told the meeting that the impartiality and professionalism of ZEC was critical for free, far and credible polls adding that voter education ought to be gender sensitive.

“The amendments to the Electoral Act must seek to crate safe spaces for women as well as to address the issue of women representation in electoral processes,” said Misihairambwi.

She said that in as much as Zimbabweans have been made to believe that the country was in a new dispensation, the situation on the ground paints a different picture.

CCDZ Director, Dr. Philip Pasirayi expressed concern over draconian laws such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) which he said limit the capacity of civic society organizations to effectively access the pre-election environment.

Zimbabwe’s Parliament is set to debate the Electoral Amendment Bill on May 8, 2018 and there was consensus among parliamentarians and civic society organizations present during the meeting that there is need for intense lobbying before the parliamentary debate.

Action points agreed during the meeting included the need for civic society organizations to develop a position paper that will enable them to effectively contribute to the debate on electoral reforms.

Civic society organizations present at the meeting also agreed to continuously lobby election stakeholders while continuously petitioning stakeholders on the need for free, fair and credible polls.

There was also consensus that civic society organizations need to develop a checklist of the SADC guidelines on free, fair ad credible polls against the current Zimbabwean position.

Source CiZC Information Office

By Paul Nyathi|Former Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, will not be spared time to appear before parliament to explain how the Zimbabwe Republic Police got to be involved in diamonds mining in Chiyadzwa.

Chihuri failed to attend hearings before the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Mining Development last week after he wrote a letter to the committee saying that he was unable to attend the hearings as he was receiving medical treatment outside the country.

Committee Chairman Temba Mliswa told journalists that the committee would reschedule Dr Chihuri’s hearing. 

“The former Commissioner-General of Police has written to Parliament to say he is not feeling well and that he is out of the country,” he said. “He expressed his readiness to come, so we will have to determine when he can come.”

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) allegedly partnered a private firm, Gye Nyame, to extract diamonds in Chiadzwa.

A fortnight ago, Dr Chihuri’s former deputies — Godwin Matanga, who is now ZRP Commissioner-General, and Deputy Commissioner-General Innocent Matibiri — told the committee that they were not aware that the law enforcement agency was extracting diamonds in Chiadzwa.

Former Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo and his former secretary, Mr Melusi Matshiya, told the same committee that they were also not aware that the police were involved in diamond mining.

By Paul Nyathi|The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development on Thursday officially summoned former President Robert Mugabe to appear before it to explain his claim that $15 Billion vanished from the country’s diamond revenue.

Mugabe hit headlines in 2016 when he made sensational claims that over $15 billion disappeared in the diamonds revenue in Chiyadzwa through possible corruption and looting scandals.

Committee chairman, Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa said his committee resolved to call Mugabe to explain where he got the claims of the $15 Billion losses.

“We met today as a committee and resolved that we invite former President Mr Mugabe to our committee to explain the disappearance of the $15 billion worth of diamonds,” he said. “We have set May 9 as the date on which he will give evidence.

“It is a resolution that we made long ago, but we first wanted to receive evidence from other State institutions to determine whether it is necessary or not to invite him. After gathering all evidence, it was the committee’s view that we call the former Head of State and Government,” he said.

The committee also invi-ted former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru to explain reports linking her to diamond mining in the area.

During her time as Vice President, Mujuru was rumoured to have had strong links to looting of diamonds to an extent that a section of the mines in Chiyadzwa was allegedly reserved for her and her mining friends.

The designated area was nicknamed “Chiuru Cha Mujuru” which means Mujuru’s reserved little hill.

By Own Correspondent| MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has received support from the Gwanda community.

Writing on Thursday afternoon, the Gwanda Residents’ Association leader, Bekezela Fuzwayo said he would vote for Chamisa without thinking.

While it was not fully clear how far reaching Fuzwayo’s comment is in the entire community, many noted how his personal sentiments have in the past borne the wind of opinion in Gwanda and beyond.

“It is not a secret that for President I will vote for Advocate Nelson Chamisa without thinking or listening to any considerations,” Fuzwayo said.

Commenting on others, he continued saying, “as for my councillor and MP one has to prove that they have Gwanda at heart and prove what it is that they have done for us as Gwanda before we elect them and what they will do for us when we elect them to the higher responsibility. No compromise on that.

“We are not going to allow the scenario where an MP wins elections in Gwanda and holds his victory celebrations in Mberengwa as was done by our outgoing MP.

By Dorrothy Moyo| Former MDC-T Vice President Thokozani Khupe, currently battling a court application for legitimacy has once again cancelled her congress. 

Her spokesman Obert Gutu made the announcement late Friday. Below was Gutu’s full text: 

The legitimate Acting President of the MDCT Dr. Thokozani Khupe has cancelled the Congress of the party slated for Saturday, 21 April 2018 at Stanley Square in Bulawayo.

The cancellation comes as a result of the court ruling in the party’s challenge to firing of its legitimate President by Parliament after the Tsvangirai faction under Nelson Chamisa convinced Parliament that they are the real MDCT.

The Concourt has since ruled in our favour that the matter of the president Khupe’s dismissal is urgent and will be heard on 30 May 2018.

In light of this the party has postponed the Congress to 2 June 2018. Logistical arrangements have thus been cancelled all delegates will reached out to via usual channels.

OBERT GUTU Real MDCT Spokesperson
0772802255

By Talent Gondo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa who was surprisingly silent about the striking nurses in his Independence Day message has finally opened up on why government fired nurses to an audience in Chipinge claiming that the strike was politically motivated.

Mnangagwa told villagers at a field day in Chipinge that he was well briefed about the developments in the health sector and he had come to the conclusion that there was political interference pushing the nurses to strike.

“I was well briefed about their refusal to wait for just two days until we could pay them despite that they had waited for over 8 years following their 2010 agreement,” said Mnangagwa.

“We realised that there is a force behind this. How can one refuse to wait for 2 days until we finalise payment modalities when they have waited for 8 years, so we said fire them. Anyone who needs a job, go and apply,” said Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa justified government’s move to relieve the nurses of their duties adding that this was because  government prioritises it’s citizens’ health.

“We told them to go back to work but they refused.They indicated that they will only go to work if the US $17 million that had been allocated to them by treasury reflected in their individual accounts,” said Mnangagwa.

“We said two days is a long time and the nation cannot afford that. What if we lost a lot of lives during those two days? We value nurses but we also value citizens’ s health and life.”

Mnangagwa called on unemployed nurses to apply  for nursing positions adding that those fired could reapply

By Paul Nyathi|Striking nurses will on Friday hold public free clinics to help members of the public receive urgent medical assistance.

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association revealed in a statement on Thursday that the nurses will show their commitment to duty by running open air free clinics for members of the public in Bulawayo and Harare on Friday.

The clinics will be stationed at the Africa Unity Square in Harare and at The City Hall Car Park in Bulawayo.

According to the statement, the nurses will provide basic medical services that will include observations, consultation and counselling on members of the public requiring urgent medical help.

Sources within the nurses indicated that several pharmaceutical companies have promised to donate basic equipment and drugs for the nurses as a solidarity move.

“As nurses we are able and ready to provide care to Zimbabweans but we can not continue working under the current condition,” said the nurses in the statement.

Government through Vice President Constantino Chiwenga on Independence Day announced that it had dismissed all the striking nurses two days into their collective job action.

The nurses have since taken the matter to the High Court for a determination.

By Paul Nyathi|King Mswati III of Swaziland has announced an immediate change of the country’s name to Eswatini.

Mswati made the announcement on Thursday at a joint celebration of the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary and his own 50th Birthday held at Somhlolo Stadium in the second capital city Manzini.

Eswatini is a SiSwati word for Land of the Swazi people.

Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years.

“I would like to announce that Swaziland will now revert to its original name,” said King Mswati amidst huge cheers from the crowd.

“African countries on getting independence reverted to their ancient names before they were colonised. So from now on the country will be officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini.”

The name does not come as a surprise as the general population in the country has been using the name more than Swaziland. The name Swaziland was not favoured by the citizens because of its Swazi and English mix.

The move has been mooted for several years, with lawmakers considering the issue in 2015. Mswati III himself has always referred to the country as Eswatini more times than Swaziland.

The name change will warrant that the country’s constitution be rewritten.

By Own Correspondent| Movement for Democratic Change supporter Stewart Rupiya went missing in Bindura yesterday after celebrating independence at Chipadze stadium.

The MDC-T claims that Rupiya was assaulted by Zimbabwe National Army officers before being taken away.

Their public notice says, ‘The ZNA officers assaulted and bundled Rupiya before throwing him into ZNA ambulance. They drove away at high speed.

‘All efforts have been made to find him to no avail’ says the public statement.

It further says a report was made to Chiwaridzo police station but the man has not been seen yet.

However, it is alleged that police appealed to MDC-T to assist in searching for him.

The police warned them not to dare visit army barracks.

A comment from the army was fruitless at the time of writing.

Zimbabwe national army top officials including Vice President Constantino Chiwenga took a leading role in a military coup in November last year that forced former president Robert Mugabe to resign. The coup was a consummation of succession battles between the G40 faction led by Grace Mugabe and the Lacoste led by then Vice president Emerson Mngagwagwa.

Terrence Mawawa

Zanu PF Matabeleland South Youth Leader, Washington Nkomo has slammed what he described as insatiable greed among party leaders.

Nkomo made the stunning remarks at a Zanu PF event that was held at Joshua Nkomo Polytechnic last week.

“We all know that our leaders are greedy and it is an open secret.

They always suppress and repress party youths. We are tired of being used by selfish
who occupy positions of influence,” said Nkomo.

“We will expose those who are oppressing members of the youth league,” added Nkomo.

Terrence Mawawa

A school head in Mvuma was arrested last week for allegedly killing his father in a nasty mobile phone brawl.

According to the police, the incident happened on March 29.

“According to the information we gathered last week, Chengwena Primary School head, Paul Musariri had an argument with his brother over a cellphone.

As the two exchanged harsh words, their father, Mabweazara Musariri tried to intervene in the ensuring brawl and Paul struck him with a metal object several times,”police in Mvuma said.

Mabweazara died a week later at Driefontein Mission Hospital, according to the police.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

Prominent politician and lawyer Douglas Mwonzora is entangled in a stormy maintenance row, according to court records.

According to records at Masvingo Civil Court, one Getrude Chuma filed papers last week demanding maintenance from the popular MDC Secretary General.

Mwonzora sired one child with the lady, according to court documents.

Chuma is demanding a total of $ 380 per month from Mwonzora.

“We have resorted to court action because Mwonzora is uncooperative.

For the record Mwonzora has never disputed the paternity of the child,” said Chuma.

Mwonzora is yet to respond to the claims.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

Prominent politician and lawyer Douglas Mwonzora is entangled in a stormy maintenance row, according to court records.

According to records at Masvingo Civil Court, one Getrude Chuma filed papers last week demanding maintenance from the popular MDC Secretary General.

Mwonzora sired one child with the lady, according to court documents.

Chuma is demanding a total of $ 380 per month from Mwonzora.

“We have resorted to court action because Mwonzora is uncooperative.

For the record Mwonzora has never disputed the paternity of the child,” said Chuma.

Mwonzora is yet to respond to the claims.

Terrence Mawawa

Prominent social humanity scientist Prosper Tiringindi has lambasted President Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s government for failing to address the genuine concerns of workers in the health sector.

“The Government of Zimbabwe has failed to respect workers in the health sector.

As citizens of Zimbabwe we have witnessed the shortages of drugs in hospitals and the environment for doctors and nurses is so poor while President Mangagwa’ s government is faiing to address the gross anomalies.

The Government must act in time to avert dire consequences,” said Tiringindi.

STATEMENT ON INDEPENDENCE DAY
18th April 2018

Today Zimbabwe is 38 years old. But how far have we really come?

It is to our shame that there has been no discernible improvement on the infrastructure left to us by the Rhodesians. In fact the rather old-fashioned infrastructure which we were left with in 1980 is now in tatters.

There has been no appreciable increase in electricity generation. We have the same thermal power stations that we had 38 years ago and some hydro-electricity coming from Victoria Falls and the Kariba Dam completed in 1959. The Dam has developed very serious cracks which have been visible for some years, but it is only recently that a French company has been contracted to repair it — and it is a matter of speculation as to whether or not they will be able to do it before it collapses entirely.

Our capital city, Harare and its satellite, Chitungwiza no longer have clean water. Water-borne disease outbreaks occur at frequent intervals.

The once excellent National Railways of Zimbabwe has become a mess. Gone are the days when one could book an overnight sleeper and be provided with clean sheets. The one attempt at improvement was in the 1980s, when, with the help of Canada, we started buying their diesel engines rather than manufacture our own steam locomotives. This in a country with no oil but abundant coal!

The health service has fallen apart.

The only noticeable development has been in education, schools and universities have been opened which have provided Zimbabwe with the world’s best educated street traders. Others, of course, have used their skills in other countries. This is clearly the result of having a school headmaster ruling the country for more than 37 years — a man who understood what happens in school very well but had no idea what happens to people after they have left school.

The indignity of being discriminated against by people who look different and come from a different continent is now over. But at least those people for all their humiliating racial attitudes generally paid workers on the agreed day. The new boss class have now developed an attitude and a culture of paying workers whenever they feel like it. This is true in both the public and the private sectors and councils under the control of the pro-imperialist opposition are no better at treating their workers.

People struggling to scratch a living by street trading are beaten and persecuted by police working for the interests of the petit-bourgeois élite who do not want to see their streets looking untidy. The majority of our people have become non-people — except when it comes to voting.

Zimbabweans, generally, are no longer discriminated against because of their colour. But they are discriminated against because of class.

And when we look at the history of our liberation struggle, what happened to those that lead our liberation armies — Josiah Tongogara, Lookout Masuku and Solomon Mujuru?

In 1980 all celebrated the new government and the new flag — even those who had backed ZAPU, the original liberation movement, rather than those who took power — ZANU.

Two years later, in 1982, an agreement was made with the apartheid government of South Africa to prevent Zimbabwe from being used as a rear base for the armed wing of the ANC of South Africa, Umkhonto we Sizwe, the ally of ZIPRA. Massacres followed in Matabeleland, Midlands and Mashonaland West. This has led to a huge rift, to deep bitterness between different ethnic groups. Although this has been the worst manifestation of tribalism, it is by no means the only one. Zimbabweans of Malawian, Mozambican or Zambian origin have been told that they are not Zimbabweans. This in a country whose leaders claim to be pan-Africanists!

The memory of the days of the late 1940s and early 1950s when Benjamin Burombo was able to lead the people of Bulawayo and Charles Mzingeli was able to lead the people in Salisbury have been buried by ethnic hatred.

Then came the big sell-out. Real economic independence ended in 1991 with ESAP. For all their racism, the Rhodesians had built up an economy autonomous from outside control. For the first 11 years of Independence at least 80% of what we bought in Zimbabwe was made in Zimbabwe. The bitter truth is that it was the African ‘nationalists’ and not the white settlers who bowed to the demands of the US/UK Axis when they accepted the terms of the IMF and the World Bank.

Worse, the working-class movement created originally in opposition to ESAP became its opposite. It came under the control of Rhodesians opposed to land reform who had now reconciled to the imperialist centre. The MDC became the greatest exponents of the neo-liberal ethos.

Recently we saw that with the overthrow of Robert Mugabe, the British Minister of State for African Affairs spent several days in Harare prior to Emmerson Mnangagwa becoming President.

And what did the MDC Alliance do when they found that they were not included in the new government?

They ran to Washington, the centre of world terrorism, to complain.

As Communists, we are very clear that in our country, Zimbabwe, it was the working-class which started the liberation struggle when trade unionists took over the Southern Rhodesian ANC in 1957. It was the working-class and the peasants who gave their blood for liberation from colonial oppression. But rule by the Rhodies has given way to rule by the chefs whom we are expected to respect.

We cannot respect those who steal our resources and do not respect us.

Therefore the Zimbabwe Communist Party calls on the working-class, the peasants and the poor to unite and regain the independence for which they and their forefathers gave their lives.

Forward to real Independence !!
Down with the chefs !!
Down with the imperialists and their stooges !!

Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena

General Secretary

On behalf of the National Steering Committee

Contacts ; +27 83 340 1000

Email : [email protected]

By Paul Nyathi|Chimurenga music guru Thomas Mapfumo nearly caused a stampede as hundreds of fans welcomed him at the Robert Mugabe International Airport on Independence Day.

Mukanya, as the musician is popularly called, landed in the country to a heroes welcome after 14 years in exile in the United States.

Zimbabweans from all walks of life thronged the airport to catch a glimpse of the musical icon’s historic return.

The media had to hackle for an interview in the midst of the ecstatic fans.

Mukanya said he is happy to be back home and to see his fellow friends still alive, adding that he was motivated to be back home after hearing that there has been a restoration of normalcy in the country.

He left the country in 2004 in a protest against then President Robert Mugabe’s leadership accusing Mugabe of gross human rights abuses.

Mapfumo is set to grace the stage with legendary musician Oliver Mtukudzi  and Jah Prayzah in a sold out concert in the capital on the 28th of April.

By Paul Nyathi|Striking nurses from government hospitals nationwide are pulling the state into court if Vice President Constantino Chiwenga does not reverse his statement firing the 20,000 health workers by end of day today.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association on Wednesday evening said that they have engaged their employer the Health Services Board to get an assurance that it will not effect the threat issued by the Vice President or they take the matter to the High Court.

“We have engaged the Health Services Board to confirm that it will not implement the directive issued by the Vice President by not later than 16:00hrs on 19 April 2018 failing which we will approach the High Court on an urgent basis to protect our right,” said the nurses.

The nurses indicated that as far as they are concerned they are engaged in a legal industrial action after notifying their employer of their intention to strike within the regulated two weeks.

The nurses representative body indicated that non of their members have received any letters of dismissal from their employer the Health Services Board and as far as they are concerned their contacts still hold while negotiations with their employer on their grievances are on going.

Chiwenga issued a statement dismissing all the nurses claimimg that government has resolved the nurses problems by committing to pay them over 17 million dollars.

The nurses however dismissed the 17 million dollar commitment as a solution to their grievances claiming that the money is only outstanding payments of allowances promised in 2010.

“The $17 144 446 in the Vice President’s statement relates to arrear allowances dating back to 2010 and has nothing to do with our current demands that triggered the collective action,” said the nurses.

ZINA further claims that non of their members have even received any payments of the promised money.

Meanwhile the government has stated rehiring nurses below the age of 70 to take up posts left by the fired nurses.

Speaking to the ZBC News in Harare over the weekend, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa said the sacking of striking nurses has created a shortage of nurses in government’s health institutions, adding that the rehiring process presents an opportunity for all trained nurses to apply.

He also said those who were fired can also apply as new employees, adding that they can approach nearest central hospital, provincial hospital and provincial medical health directorate immediately.

Ousted MDC-T vice president Dr Thokozani
Khupe has accused Parliament of turning a
blind eye to its constitutional obligation to
protect her tenure as a Member of
Parliament when it endorsed her expulsion
from the august House.

Dr Khupe, who was
the opposition party’s Proportional
Representation Member of Parliament for
Bulawayo Metropolitan, is presently
challenging her expulsion from Parliament.

Last Thursday, MDC-T leader Mr Nelson
Chamisa wrote to Speaker of Parliament
Advocate Jacob Mudenda, claiming that Dr
Khupe no longer represented the party’s
interest.

The aggrieved politician yesterday filed her
challenge at the Constitutional Court citing
Parliament, Speaker of Parliament Advocate
Mudenda and MDC-T chairman Mr Morgan
Komichi as respondents.

Dr Khupe, through her lawyer Professor
Lovemore Madhuku, wants an order
declaring that Parliament failed to fulfil its
constitutional obligation to protect the
tenure of the seat of a Member of Parliament
as required by Sections 119(1) and 129 of the
Constitution.

She also wants the court to reinstate her as
Member of Parliament, including declaring
Mr Komichi’s letter to Parliament, which was
written in terms of Section 129(1)(k) of the
Constitution, null and void.

Section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution of
Zimbabwe provides that: “A seat of a
Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the
member has ceased to belong to the political
party of which he or she was a member when
elected to Parliament.”

It is Dr Khupe’s contention that both Sections
119(1) and 129 of the Constitution impose a
duty on Parliament to subject every dispute
that impacts on the tenure of a seat of a
Member of Parliament to the courts for
determination before recognising and acting
on the remedy provided for through Section
129(1)(k).

“Section 129(1)(k) has no automatic effect,”
stated Dr Khupe in her papers.
“If there is a dispute between a member and
any group or association purporting to be the
‘political party concerned’ within the
meaning of that expression in Section 129(1)
(k), the first respondent (Parliament) has a
constitutional obligation to protect the
tenure of the seat of a member until the
dispute relating to the requirements in
Section 129(1)(k) has been authoritatively
resolved by the courts.”

She further argues that whenever Parliament
is put on notice by any of its members
regarding a potential dispute in respect of the
requirements of Section 129(1)(k), it has a
constitutional obligation to put into motion a
process akin to interpleader proceedings and
require a court of law to resolve the dispute.
An interpleader is a suit pleaded between
two parties to determine a matter of claim or
right to property held by a third party.
“It is for the first respondent itself to invite
a court to resolve the dispute given its
constitutional obligation to protect the
tenure of seats of its members,” she argues.

“I believe that the view that all that is
required for a vacancy to arise under Section
129(1)(k) is for the second respondent
(Speaker of National Assembly) to receive a
written notice from the political party
concerned is incorrect for the simple reason
that it does not take into account the
constitutional obligations I have outlined.”

Dr Khupe also argues that whenever
Parliament’s attention is drawn to a split or
potential split in a political party, it has a
constitutional obligation not to recognise a
written notice from one of the factions
without either taking the matter to court
under an interpleader of sorts or referring
the parties to a court for determination.

“There is another constitutional obligation
that the first respondent must act reasonably
in everything it does.
“Where it acts irrationally, it breaches its
constitutional obligations.”
Dr Khupe was elected Member of Parliament
under Section 124(1) (b) representing
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province.

The Chamisa-led MDC-T is yet to respond to
the Dr Khupe’s application, which she wants
to be treated with urgency.

Until her expulsion last week, Dr Khupe was
the leader of the opposition party in the
august House by virtue of her being the
party’s deputy president.

The opposition party has become increasingly
fractious, especially after the death of its
founding leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai on
February 14.
Dr Khupe was left the acting president of the
party when Mr Tsvangirai was confined to
his hospital bed in South Africa until his
death.

Mr Chamisa, who has had a nasty fallout with
Dr Khupe over the leadership of the
opposition party since then, last week
recalled Dr Khupe from Parliament after
MDC-T’s national council – regarded as the
opposition party’s supreme decision-making
organ in between congresses – unanimously
agreed to expel her from the party accusing
her of misconduct and intransigence- The Herald.

By Terrence Mawawa| In 2004, Daniel Shumba was fired from the revolutionary party Zanu PF for pushing for Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ascendancy.

Last year after being expelled from the ruling party Shumba decided to launch an opposition party, United Democratic Alliance(UDA).

” Dr Daniel Shumba’ s key attributes:
1.EDUCATION- he is a holder of an MBA and PhD in International Business Strategy.

2.PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Dr Daniel Shumba is a born again Christian who believes in Christ and has to be practical in National governance.

He is a sociable and likeable individual. His generosity is a sure testimony for all who interacted with him. He is a man of principles and he has a firm character
-yet so humorous.

Dr Shumba is a man of standards who considers best practices in everything as never to be an option but an inevitable human obligation,” UDA said in a statement.

By Paul Nyathi|Opposition MDCT leader Nelson Chamisa on Independence Day stood by his ealier word and attended the National Independence Celebrations at the National Sports Stadium.

The youthful leader shared the VVIP tent with rival President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In a rare political fit in the country, the two leaders shook hands and hugged in front of the thousands who packed the stadium to capacity.

Commenting on his attendance of the celebrations a move which most people in the opposition parties generally do not agree with, Chamisa said that national events like the Independence Day celebrations should unite Zimbabweans.

“Going forward, national events must unite us all as our source of collective national pride. Zimbabwe is for all of us together, BIG & BEST,” said Chamisa.

“With all unmet aspirations, debilitating challenges, neglected advantages & broken hopes being tormented and troubled a nation..Ours is still the ONE & ONLY BEAUTIFUL ZIMBABWE,” said the vibrant opposition leader.

WARNING- Some of the pictures are too gruesome and will need to be heavily edited before publication.

By Own Correspondent| 7 people are feared dead in an accident that occurred in the Harare- Mutare road.

The accident might be the most gruesome accidents to happen in the country this year so far.

Sources told ZimEye, the accident involving a truck and a Toyota Wish, had several alleged dead bodies seen at the roadside. True to their statements, impeccable picture evidence in ZimEye’s possession, shows several apparently lifeless bodies lying on the ground. A-team of  the fire brigade, was pictured attempting to assist some of those who remained trapped inside one of the vehicles. The other vehicle was cut in half, literally, and in a very distressing way.

Further details were sketchy at the time of writing and ZimEye will keep our valued readers and viewers updated.

Terrence Mawawa, Zaka

Zaka Rural District Council will soon enlist the services of the Zimbabwe National Army in a bid to remove illegal vendors from the streets of Jerera Growth Point.

The Zaka Rural District Council board last week resolved to enlist the services of members of the Zimbabwe National Army to beat up vendors.

Zaka Rural District Council Chief Executive Office David Majaura denied the board resolved to hire soldiers to beat up vendors.

“We concurred to find effective ways to remove illegal vendors but we never pinpointed a specific strategy,” said Majaura.

However council sources maintained the army would be roped in to restore order at the growth point.

Terrence Mawawa

Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni has taken over a Mopane Worms processing project meant to benefit villagers in Matabeleland Region, it has emerged.

Villagers in Matshiloni area in Matabeleland have accused Nyoni of snatching the Rovhona Raita Mopane Worms Project.

“Nyoni wants to turn the Mopane Worms Project into a Zanu PF programme.

We have always been doing our activities and we do not need anything from politicians,” fumed a member of the Rovhona Raita Cooperative.

Government sources revealed Nyoni would officiate at the commissioning of the project on April 20.

By Talent Gondo | MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa was received with a hero’s welcome as he arrived at today’s Independence celebrations at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.

As the youthful Alliance Presidential candidate made his way to the VIP tent, the huge crowds at the gigantic venue cheered and ululated while others waved at him.

Follow this link to WATCH Chamisa Arrival.

In case you missed pic.twitter.com/31uF9agu6p

— African Prince(Ticha) (@MupfukudzwaT) April 18, 2018

Terrence Mawawa

Opposition parties have- for the first time- extolled President Emmerson Mnangagwa for uniting the people of Zimbabwe.

In a statement released today the NPP has lauded Mnangagwa for promoting diversity of views.

” For the first time in history the Zimbabwean Independence Celebrations have been turned into a national event.Chakanaka chakanaka .

The Independence Celebrations have not been turned into a Zanu PF rally.

For the past 37 years we observed that Zanu PF had monopolised the liberation struggle, national history and national celebrations.

Zimbabweans from all walks of lives want to be associated with the history of this beautiful nation.All Zimbabweans want a better country,” reads part of the NPP statement.

By Talent Gondo

Transform Zimbabwe President, Jacob Ngarivhume has congratulated Zimbabwe and it citizens on the country’s 38th independence, attributing the country’s challenges to a failed leadership.

In his Independence message, Ngarivhume hailed the country’s heroes adding that it was saddening to note that there were elements bent on maintaining the pre independence injustices.

“This day is here because someone believed in the impossible,” said Ngarivhume.

“Do not mind those wishing to place us under a new yoke  of bondage,” he said.

Below is the full text of Jacob Ngarivhume’s Independence Message.

Today we stand humbled and thankful to the Lord for what He did in Zimbabwe 38 years ago. We stand in salute of the works of the generations which arose before us and answered the call to liberate Zimbabwe.

Reflecting on the past, the call to free Zimbabwe was not an easy one. It required people to stand up against a foe that seemed impossible to defeat. Armed with guns, tanks and air power, the enemy seemed a demigod to those with mere spears and arrows.

Yet the generation did not look upon the might of the enemy, but their sight was cast on a vision. The vision that sovereignty was possible. The vision that a black man can be master of his own fate. The vision that one day our nation would be free.

Knowing neither the how nor the when of the vision’s accomplishment, our forefathers answered the call to free Zimbabwe. They left their families and abandoned their lives to travel a journey that had no prescendents. Though they ventured into unknown lands, one thing was clear to them, that they could not continue to live as slaves in their own land.

Today we have a day as this because of the vision, commitment and sacrifices of these great man and women. The 18th of April has become possible because someone believed in the impossible. The likes of Tongogara, Chitepo and Joshua Nkomo. We salute their sacrifice, commitment, determination and hard work which made this day possible.

Yet even they in all their greatness do not own this day. This day belongs to all of Zimbabwe and to every Zimbabwean. For it was the ordinary citizen who cooked food for the comrades, who provided shelter and covered the tracks of our fighters. It was the ordinary woman, an ordinary mother who prayed to the Almighty to safeguard her children and give them success on their journey. It was the ordinary child, a small brother, a small sister that transported critical information from one base to the other. It was the ordinary citizen who sacrificed his life protecting our comrades and fighting for this nation.

They all believed in an ‘impossible’ vision. They all hoped against hope that Zimbabwe can one day be a free nation. And each one played his and her part, whether great or small towards a free Zimbabwe which we now have today. It is these unknown heroes who made this day truly possible.

The 18th of April is the day we celebrate what it truly means to be Zimbabwean. It is the day we celebrate the best of the Zimbabwean values which make us who we are. It is the day we celebrate our ability to prosper even against all odds.

Do not mind those of us who now wish to place us under a new yoke of bondage. Those who foolishly claim that they freed this nation yet this nation was freed because of the commitment and sacrifices of every Zimbabwean.

They have been seduced by the power we entrusted to them to thinking that they are the gods of Zimbabwe. They forget that we the people of Zimbabwe dislodged a mightier force than they which had been in power for centuries longer than them. They forget the relentlessness and steadfastness with which we the people of Zimbabwe pursue our freedom with. Most of all, they forget how the true God of Zimbabwe judges injustice against his beloved people.

38 years after independence, we all know the troubles we are going through. We all know too well the sufferings of our people. How our work force works hard but still earns far below the poverty datum line. How our life expectancy has been reduced even far below the age limit of youths. How our children roam around jobless and how we have been reduced from the bread basket of Africa to the begging bowel of the planet.

Our consistent failure to solve these problems has not been due to a lack of policies, but due to a lack of the right leadership. Ours is not an economic problem, but a political problem. The failure of Zimbabwe has been the failure of leadership.

On this day we celebrated the fruits of those who answered the call of their generation to liberate Zimbabwe from colonial rule, we also have to accept and bare the call upon our generation to liberate Zimbabwe from this oppressive regime. None but ourselves can free us from this scourge.

Only we can fight to restore Zimbabwe’s true legacy. Together as one nation and as one people we can transform our nation and make it a jewel again.

A Zimbabwe where hard working people earn proper incomes and create the life they desire is possible. A Zimbabwe where every one who seeks a job finds one is possible. A Zimbabwe where health access is available to all is possible. A Zimbabwe where development is the order of the day, and where we grow our economy to be the best in Africa is possible and is at hand. Yes, it is possible and we can create it.

On this day, on this 18th of April 2018, as we celebrate what our forefathers did for us, let us also celebrate what we are going to do for our nation. As we celebrate the fruits of their sacrifice, so shall our children and our children’s children celebrate the fruits of our labour in this season. Let history remember that in these days there arose a generation which stood up againast injustice and brought prosperity to our nation.

Happy Independence Day to you all.

• May God bless Zimbabwe, may God bless you all.

Terrence Mawawa

National People’s Party(NPP) Spokesperson Jeffryson Chitando has described Bishop Trevor Manhanga’ s Independence remarks as splendid adding the clergyman literally overshadowed President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the National Sports Stadium.

“Bishop Manhanga’s speech was more inspiring than the President’s remarks.

If one was asked of the two who delivered a Presidential speech, one would pick undoubtedly laud the Bishop,” said Chitando.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

MDC youths have commended liberation war fighters who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country.

However the party’ s youth wing has taken Zanu PF to task for violating the fundamental principles of the liberation struggle.

Below is a statement from the MDC Youth Assembly Masvingo Urban Constituency:

We join the nation and the world in commemorating the heroic exploits and sacrificies that brought our independence in 1980.

Independence Day symbolises our freedom from colonial oppression and racial subjugation,It brought about the most valuable weapon we have- the right to vote.

We need to work collectively as we go forward to guarantee and secure this right to vote,so that forever we can freely choose those who govern us and to hold the government of the day accountable.

We are aware that our freedom fighters fought for a country where all Zimbabweans will exercise their rights without fear. As a party we believe that political violence and intimidation together with unfree and unfair elections are a mockery of a just and fair Zimbabwe that our freedom fighters fought for at the height of the liberation war.

Like the freedom fighters of that time, who saw it worthless to spare their comforts at the expense of the needs of the populace we also prefer the fulfilment of the principles of the struggle to servitude to the throne.

As a party we embrace the sacrifices shown by our freeedom fighters , as we walk in their footsteps we wish to say that we stand in the shoulders of these great men and women who went through painful circumstances and never gave up-happy Independence Day!

By Paul Nyathi| The Minister of State for Bulawayo Province Angelina Masuku was today rushed to hospital after collapsing while reading President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s speech at White City Stadium.

Masuku collapsed after inspecting a guard of honour and standing at attention for almost an hour.

Masuku’s aides, as well as nurses took nearly half an hour to resuscitate her before she finally proceeded with her speech after being attended to by nurses.

She was then rushed to hospital for checks.

Details on her condition were still sketchy and information still coming through at the time of writing – THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.

ZimRights|Press Release

April 18, 2018

VP Chiwenga’s firing of nurses condemned
Harare – THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) condemns in the strongest terms the unilateral decision by the Vice President Rtd. General Constantino Guvheya Dominic Chiwenga to fire nurses over a salary dispute.
In a letter dated April 17, 2018, the Vice President purportedly fired all nurses who have been on industrial strike, throwing the health sector into deeper crisis and worsening a situation which was already untenable with many patients struggling to get treated.
The strike by health professionals is a direct result of the perennial underfunding of the health sector, which has seen the budget for health annually falling under the stipulated 15% of the total national budget as per the Abuja Declaration of African Sates of 2001.
The Government has decided to make unfortunate threats and politicise the strike by alleging that the health workers who are genuinely calling for better conditions of service are “politically-motivated.”
Such an approach by the Vice President Rtd. General Chiwenga to the grievances of hardworking nurses, who have been enduring difficult conditions of service for many years now is insensitive and shows disappointing leadership.
ZimRights urges the government to engage in dialogue with the nurses to solve the current challenges in the health sector, which have already affected many ordinary people for more than a month now.
The lack of urgency by the authorities in solving the health crisis negatively impacts the realisation of the human right to health as guaranteed in Sectio 76 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
The authorities should not be playing divide-and-rule tactics, where they pay other health practitioners like doctors, while refusing to address the grievances of the nurses and threating to replace them with retirees.
As a standard employer in the country which is supposed to be exemplary in its handling of labour disputes, the government is setting a deplorable example.

ZimRights Hotlines

0773789874, 0733606797, 0718928611

Transform Zimbabwe President’s Independence Message to Zimbabwe

Today we stand humbled and thankful to the Lord for what He did in Zimbabwe 38 years ago. We stand in salute of the works of the generations which arose before us and answered the call to liberate Zimbabwe.

Reflecting on the past, the call to free Zimbabwe was not an easy one. It required people to stand up against a foe that seemed impossible to defeat. Armed with guns, tanks and air power, the enemy seemed a demigod to those with mere spears and arrows.

Yet the generation did not look upon the might of the enemy, but their sight was cast on a vision. The vision that sovereignty was possible. The vision that a black man can be master of his own fate. The vision that one day our nation would be free.

Knowing neither the how nor the when of the vision’s accomplishment, our forefathers answered the call to free Zimbabwe. They left their families and abandoned their lives to travel a journey that had no prescendents. Though they ventured into unknown lands, one thing was clear to them, that they could not continue to live as slaves in their own land.

Today we have a day as this because of the vision, commitment and sacrifices of these great man and women. The 18th of April has become possible because someone believed in the impossible. The likes of Tongogara, Chitepo and Joshua Nkomo. We salute their sacrifice, commitment, determination and hard work which made this day possible.

Yet even they in all their greatness do not own this day. This day belongs to all of Zimbabwe and to every Zimbabwean. For it was the ordinary citizen who cooked food for the comrades, who provided shelter and covered the tracks of our fighters. It was the ordinary woman, an ordinary mother who prayed to the Almighty to safeguard her children and give them success on their journey. It was the ordinary child, a small brother, a small sister that transported critical information from one base to the other. It was the ordinary citizen who sacrificed his life protecting our comrades and fighting for this nation.

They all believed in an ‘impossible’ vision. They all hoped against hope that Zimbabwe can one day be a free nation. And each one played his and her part, whether great or small towards a free Zimbabwe which we now have today. It is these unknown heroes who made this day truly possible.

The 18th of April is the day we celebrate what it truly means to be Zimbabwean. It is the day we celebrate the best of the Zimbabwean values which make us who we are. It is the day we celebrate our ability to prosper even against all odds.

Do not mind those of us who now wish to place us under a new yoke of bondage. Those who foolishly claim that they freed this nation yet this nation was freed because of the commitment and sacrifices of every Zimbabwean.

They have been seduced by the power we entrusted to them to thinking that they are the gods of Zimbabwe. They forget that we the people of Zimbabwe dislodged a mightier force than they which had been in power for centuries longer than them. They forget the relentlessness and steadfastness with which we the people of Zimbabwe pursue our freedom with. Most of all, they forget how the true God of Zimbabwe judges injustice against his beloved people.

38 years after independence, we all know the troubles we are going through. We all know too well the sufferings of our people. How our work force works hard but still earns far below the poverty datum line. How our life expectancy has been reduced even far below the age limit of youths. How our children roam around jobless and how we have been reduced from the bread basket of Africa to the begging bowel of the planet.

Our consistent failure to solve these problems has not been due to a lack of policies, but due to a lack of the right leadership. Ours is not an economic problem, but a political problem. The failure of Zimbabwe has been the failure of leadership.

On this day we celebrated the fruits of those who answered the call of their generation to liberate Zimbabwe from colonial rule, we also have to accept and bare the call upon our generation to liberate Zimbabwe from this oppressive regime. None but ourselves can free us from this scourge.

Only we can fight to restore Zimbabwe’s true legacy. Together as one nation and as one people we can transform our nation and make it a jewel again.

A Zimbabwe where hard working people earn proper incomes and create the life they desire is possible. A Zimbabwe where every one who seeks a job finds one is possible. A Zimbabwe where health access is available to all is possible. A Zimbabwe where development is the order of the day, and where we grow our economy to be the best in Africa is possible and is at hand. Yes, it is possible and we can create it.

On this day, on this 18th of April 2018, as we celebrate what our forefathers did for us, let us also celebrate what we are going to do for our nation. As we celebrate the fruits of their sacrifice, so shall our children and our children’s children celebrate the fruits of our labour in this season. Let history remember that in these days there arose a generation which stood up againast injustice and brought prosperity to our nation.

Happy Independence Day to you all.

May God bless Zimbabwe, may God bless you all.

Together we will Transform Zimbabwe

Jacob Ngarivhume
TZ President

#PullingTogether to #MakeZimbabweAJewelAgain
#StopBlaming #StartActing
#vote2018

By Paul Nyathi|Self exiled Legendary chimurenga music singer Thomas Tafirenyika “Mukanya” Mapfumo is expected to land back home on Independence Day evening.

Mapfumo who has been exiled in the USA for close to two decades will be jetting into the country ten days ahead of his homecoming show set for Glamis Arena on April 28.

Mukanya will share the stage with Oliver Mtukudzi, Suluman Chimbetu, Winky D, Andy Muridzo and Gary Tight.

“Mukanya will arrive at 9.15pm and will be met at the airport by organisers of the show, fans, relatives and friends. It will be a grand welcome for the musician because he has not been in the country for a long time. He is looking forward to the trip and he will also travel with his family. It will be an important occasion for him and the family,” said Blessing Vava Mapfumo’s Public Relations Officer.

Tickets for the concert are reportedly selling very fast.

“Most cheap tickets have been sold out and we are in the last phase of ticket sales. There will be not tickets at the venue and we encourage people to buy their tickets in advance. Mukanya will have various programmes when he arrives and we know that by the day of the show he will be inspired to do the best for his fans. It promises to be a great show indeed,” said one of the organisers.

The Glamis Arena is likely to host a record crowd as Mukanya’s fans and others that have not seen him on stage in their lives are preparing to witness the grand bira. People from many parts of the country have expressed interest in travelling to Harare for the show.

By Talent Gondo| The arbitrary firing of nurses by Vice President General Constantine Chiwenga is scary and is possibly disastrous for civilians if  the military retains power and gets another 5 year mandate to govern the country, the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) Director, Pedzisai Ruhanya has said.

Ruhanya described VP Chiwenga’s actions as a reflection and indication that the country is under leaders who are worse than the former President Robert Mugabe.

“You see the Mugabe mentality and behaviour in Chiwenga; very evil and Mary Chiwenga could be worse than Grace. Fire the problem not the nurse,” he said.

Ruhanya emphasised the importance of civilian control for a successful democracy.

“Democracy and military: For democracy, civilian control–that is, control of the military by civilian officials elected by the people–is fundamental,” he said.

“Civilian control allows a nation to base its values, institutions, and practices on the popular will rather than on the choices of military leaders, whose outlook by definition focuses on the need for internal order and external security,” said Ruhanya.

He said that because the military is, by necessity, among the least democratic institutions in human experience; martial customs and procedures clash by nature with individual freedom and civil liberty, the highest values in any democratic societies.

Ruhanya cautioned Zimbabweans to elect their leaders carefully come 2018.

“When you decide in July 2018, keep this in mind, it could be worse if you give them five more years of full military rule,” said Ruhanya.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s ex-wife, Jocelyn is in trouble over a 2.6 million dollar loan.

The latest developments indicate that she has defaulted on paying the lumpsum back.

She is now at serious risk of losing a large part of her property empire.

Jocelyn, is on history for allegedly assaulting the former commander during the subsistence of their marriage. This was before the general had moved on to his new lover who is now his wife, Mary. She was also popular for exposing the vice president’s wealth during the time of the messy divorce.

But this time she has been sued at the High Court after failing to repay a $2.6 million CBZ Bank loan.

She is being sued together with her companies Rugnet Ventures (Private) Ltd and Licybuster Investments (Private) Ltd. Court papers filed by CBZ read:

The first, second and third defendants (Rugnet, Jocelyn, Licybuster) breached the terms of the restructured loan facility agreement by failing to repay the principal amount and interest fully and punctually in annual instalments of $260 000.

The third defendant registered a first mortgage bond for $607 500 stand number 2161 Glen Lorne Township stand number 812 Glen Lorne Township 15 registered in the name of the third defendant and held under deed of transfer number 3787/08 dated June 3, 2008, as security for the debt, hence the property becomes executable…. As at the date of summons, the defendant’s total indebtedness to plaintiff was in the sum of $2 594 249,97. – Newsday

By Talent Gondo| The name of the man who allegedly caused his girlfriend to commit suicide over a leaked sex tape has been revealed.

The man is called Terrence Chipinga and he is said to be a UZ student. The girl who committed suicide is called Tapiwa Mushava, ZimEye has learnt.

It is alleged that Mushava committed suicide after Chipinga posted videos of the duo while they were having sex.

The deceased’s sister, in a telephone call to Chipinga accused him of causing her sister’s death indicating that they retrieved messages from her phone where she made a plea to her boyfriend to delete the videos threatening to kill herself if he leaked them.

Efforts to get a comment from the police regarding Mushava’s death were futile since yesterday.

Police spokesperson, Paul Nyathi could not confirm the death referring ZimEye to Assistant Inspector Clemence Mabweazara,  who is the ZRP’s Mashonaland West Spokesperson.

Assistant Inspector Mabweazara’s mobile phone went unanswered. Meanwhile several people commented on the matter on the LIVE breaking news broadcast last night. WATCH BELOW FOR MORE:

By A Correspondent| The renegade former MDC Deputy President Thokozani Khupe was yesterday snapped at the entrance of the Criminal Court while coming out of the hearing in which she is suing her former boss, Nelson Chamisa.

Khupe submitted her application.

Some experts indicate that she could win the case.

In the application, Dr Khupe and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) are cited as the applicants while the Parliament of Zimbabwe , Speaker of Parliament and MDC-T national deputy chairperson Mr Morgen Komichi are cited as the first , second and third respondents.

“At the core of this application is my contention that the first respondent, in arbitrarily announcing that I had lost my seat in circumstances where no reasonable Parliament could ever act in the same manner, failed to fulfil its constitutional obligation to protect the security of my seat as its duly elected member.

“I am approaching this Court in my own interests as a citizen of Zimbabwe, who was elected a Member of the National Assembly in the last general election held on 31 July, 2013. Notwithstanding the position taken by the first respondent, I believe that, at law, I am still a Member of Parliament,” read the application.

In her application Khupe further claims that parliament erred in choosing to listen to our side of a party involved in factional fights without consulting the other side….

By Paul Nyathi|The Bulawayo High Court has postponed by another week its determination on who has the right to use the name MDC-T in factional fighters between Thokozani Khuphe and Nelson Chamisa.

Justice Francis Bere on Wednesday said that he will make his ruling on the matter next week having gone through the presentations of the two factions.

The Nelson Chamisa led faction took the matter to the High Court about two weeks ago seeking an urgent court interdiction stopping Khuphe from using the name and claiming to be the leader of the party.

The Chamisa faction claims that Khuphe was officially dismissed from the party and can no longer associate herself with the MDC-T name and logos.

Chamisa was elevated to party President by the National Council following the death of founding President Morgan Tsvangirai in February.

Khuphe who was Co Deputy President to Chamisa claims that according to the party constitution, she was the one who was meant to lead the party in the interim until a special congress is held to elect a new leader.

There was drama at the Court when lawyers from the two factions provided two different copies of the party constitution with each claiming theirs to be the genuine constitution of the party.

The Chamisa faction faction provided a constitution which talks of the National Council having the powers to appoint a President while the Khuphe faction constitution says only the National Congress can do that.

By Talent Gondo| MDC Alliance  President, Nelson Chamisa has revealed that he will today attend Independence Day Commemorations.

Chamisa revealed this in his Independence message posted on his Facebook page.

“At a personal level, I will today attend the national event and the national commemorations of this great event,” said Chamisa.

He said because independence was a great day whose meaning and significance goes beyond the narrow strictures and confines of political party affiliation, his party and those in the Alliance would attend the commemorations nationally.

“All the leaders and members of the MDC-T will be attending today’s independence celebrations in the various areas where they will be taking place,” said Chamisa.

“In my case, I will be joining other national leaders in giving this day its true meaning and value. It is a great day that deserves to be commemorated by all of us.”

Zanu Pf Spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo is on record extending an invitation to all Zimbabweans regardless of their political affiliation to attend Independence day.

“This year’s commemorations are unique because we are in the new dispensation,” said Khaya Moyo.

The Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Mirriam Chikukwa also appealed to all Zimbabweans including opposition political party supporters and leaders to attend this year’s commemorations arguing that independence was a national event and not a political affair.

Chamisa said there is need for Zimbabweans to restore the full meaning of Independence Day.

“We must restore the meaning of this great day whose appeal must go to Zimbabweans of all shades and political colours,” said Chamisa.

“It is belittling of this great day to give the impression that our liberation was fought for a single political party.”

“It was a truly national liberation that must appeal to the kaleidoscopic and full variety of our political milieu!” he said.

Below is MDC Alliance President full Independence Message.

President Adv. Nelson Chamisa’s Independence Day message to the people of Zimbabwe

Introduction| Zimbabwe did not come cheap. It took a protracted and grueling struggle to liberate the country from the shackles of colonial bondage. The patriotic sons and daughters of this land died while some were raped or maimed in the selfless national duty to liberate this country.Today, we remember them.

Today, we salute the heroic struggle of the people of Zimbabwe in consigning that dark epoch to the dustbins of history.

Today, we mark the advent of our political independence and the stoic gallantry that it took to restore the dignity of the black Zimbabwean.

Today, we stand with pride as a heroic people who took up arms to fight oppression. Indeed, we are a nation of heroes.

Our mission: Completing the unfinished business

As a new generation and as a post-liberation political formation, our mandate and our mission is to be the compass of that struggle by ensuring that the people‘s aspirations are fulfilled.

We so much cherish the aspirational and inspirational values of the liberation struggle to the extent that we take great exception if those sacred values are betrayed or dismembered. At the core of that liberation was the legitimate demand for one-man-one vote and that is why we are pressing for the sovereign expression of the will of the people through a free, fair and credible election.

Our call for electoral reforms is very much attached to the core value of the liberation struggle which was the right to vote.

One cannot cherish the liberation struggle but negate in every way the people’s right to free expression through a credible election. That is tantamount to a betrayal of the liberation struggle whose meaning and import we cherish and remember on this very day.

I wish to restate that our generation’s struggle for democracy stands on the shoulders of the earlier struggle of liberation. As a nation, we liberated ourselves so that we could truly be free in every respect. Therefore our democratic struggle represents our avowed wish to complete the agenda of the liberation struggle and not to negate it!

We only wish to complete the unfinished business of that sacred struggle that we commemorate on this Independence Day. So great was the meaning of that expression that we feel a day is not enough for a nation’s full expression. That is why as a party we in the MDC-T have declared this April to be an independence month. A day’s celebration is an understatement of the significance of independence in our nation’s history.

In the truly new dispensation that begins after the next election; we will remain committed to an Independence month and not a mere independence day. We will commit a whole month to the truly convivial and carnival celebration of the heroism of the people of this land in fighting tyranny and oppression.

Independence: a personal eulogy

At a personal level, I will today attend the national event and the national commemorations of this great event.

Independence is a great day whose meaning and significance go beyond the narrow strictures and confines of political party affiliation. We must restore the full meaning of our independence into a great day whose appeal must go to Zimbabweans of all shades and political colours.

It is belittling of this great day to give the impression that our liberation was fought for a single political party. It was a truly national liberation that must appeal to the kaleidoscopic and full variety of our political milieu!

All the leaders and members of the MDC-T will be attending today’s independence celebrations in the various areas where they will be taking place. In my case, I will be joining other national leaders in giving this day its true meaning and value. It is a great day that deserves to be commemorated by all of us.

A tribute to the people of Zimbabwe

I would want to use this public holiday to pay tribute to the honest and hard working people of Zimbabwe who are slugging it out under very difficult circumstances.

The totality of Zimbabweans must be respected and thanked because it is them who fought the liberation struggle. All Zimbabweans deserve respect, including war veterans, dead and alive, war collaborators, ex-detainees and those who were in their fathers’ loins and in their mothers’ wombs.

We pay tribute to SMEs for sustaining Zimbabweans in the face of brutal mismanagement of the country. We say thank you to the nurses, doctors, teachers, and all civil servants, those serving in defence, in the police, intelligence and in correctional services. Thank you for working under very difficult circumstances.

We say thank you to all those in the diplomatic corps, in the various government ministries and to all Zimbabwean students in and outside the country.

We want to call for discipline, accountability, transparency and uprightness.

We want to thank all religious leaders and congregants for sustaining the moral fabric and dignity of the people. Thank you to all Diasporans, to small scale entrepreneurs, petrol attendants, gardeners, commuter omnibus drivers and their assistants all of whom are often forgotten about.

Soon—and very soon–we will be unveiling a robust policy programme that will address all the challenges that you face.

Happy Independence anniversary Zimbabwe!

By Paul Nyathi|Faction leading former MDC-T Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe has challenged her dismissal from parliament by the Nelson Chamisa faction in the Constitutional Court.

Khupe filed an urgent application at the Court in Harare on Wednesday seeking reinstatement into the August house.

Khuphe through her lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku is also challenging what she terms Parliaments’ failure to fulfil its constitutional obligation to protect the security of her seat as a duly elected MP and the leader of opposition.

In the application, Dr Khuphe and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) are cited as the applicants while the Parliament of Zimbabwe , Speaker of Parliament and MDC-T national deputy chairperson Mr Morgen Komichi are cited as the first , second and third respondents.

“At the core of this application is my contention that the first respondent, in arbitrarily announcing that I had lost my seat in circumstances where no reasonable Parliament could ever act in the same manner, failed to fulfil its constitutional obligation to protect the security of my seat as its duly elected member.

“I am approaching this Court in my own interests as a citizen of Zimbabwe, who was elected a Member of the National Assembly in the last general election held on 31 July, 2013. Notwithstanding the position taken by the first respondent, I believe that, at law, I am still a Member of Parliament,” read the application.

In her application Khuphe further claims that parliament erred in choosing to listen to our side of a party involved in factional fights without consulting the other side.

“From the foregoing, there is a failure by the first respondent in several respects. First, despite being put on notice by me in my capacity as a member and leader of the opposition in Parliament regarding the leadership wrangles triggered by the death of our president, the first respondent failed to fulfil the constitutional obligation of referring the issue to, or waiting for, a court of law before recognising the contents of the letter by the third respondent. Secondly, in the circumstances of this case, the first respondent acted irrationally in recognising the contents of the letter by the third respondent. I submit that no reasonable parliament could ever have recognised the contents of the third respondent’s purported written notice,” said Khuphe.

She said she believed that the matter was extremely urgent as parliament is currently discussing critical matters she wants to be involved in.

“I am the leader of a political party and my absence from Parliament seriously prejudices not only my political career but also the interests of my party and the electorate. Parliament is currently debating electoral reforms ahead of the next elections. I have an electoral mandate to be involved at this crucial period,” read the application.

Khuphe demands that the Chamisa led faction and the parliament bear the costs of her application.

‘That the Respondents (if they oppose this application) jointly and severally pay the costs of this application the one paying the others to be absolved,” read the draft order.